DRIVERS: Scott Speed (No. 82) / Reed Sorenson (No. 83)

EVENT: Brickyard 400 (Sprint Cup)

DATES: Friday-Sunday, July 23-25, 2010

TRACK: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis

GREAT-WAY: Sorenson spent his off week in Braun Racing’s No. 32 Toyota and the Nationwide Series, finishing second Saturday night at Gateway to keep his St. Louis streak going. He’s finished first twice and second twice in six starts there. He’ll also drive the No. 32 in the Nationwide race at O’Reilly Raceway Park.

ON TO INDY: As a 21-year-old, Sorenson won the pole for the 2007 Brickyard 400 and went on to finish fifth. He followed up with 17th in 2008 and then 13th in ’09. “It’s way different than any track we run at, but it’s always fun to go there and just being at that race track, in general, is something that a lot of people don’t get to do,” he said. “The cool thing about Indy is it’s really fast and flat and it still has a lot of grip. It’s very hard to race and very hard to pass, but if you have a good car it’s fun to race on.” VITAL SIGNS: The No. 83 Red Bull Toyota ranks 24th in the car owner standings — 81 points behind 23rd.

SO FAR, SO GOOD: The Brickyard 400 will be Sorenson’s fourth race in the No. 83. His best finish is eighth July 3 at Daytona. “We had a really good run at Daytona,” he said. “This past weekend (at Chicagoland), as a team, we made gains throughout the weekend and struggled during the race. That’s something that’s part of the Sprint Cup Series. We’re just trying to find a good baseline and get these cars fast like they were last year.”

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE … Reed Sorenson’s specially designed helmet, complete with Red Bull branding and the likeness of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Brickyard 400, will be up for auction after Sunday’s race on eBay. Reed will donate the money to the American Red Bull Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter to help aid in the Gulf oil spill. The helmet, designed by Beam Designs, will carry the signatures of Reed and Mari Hulman George, chairman of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

   

Reed Heads To the Brickyard 400

#83 Red Bull Toyota